Boracay is a tropical island in the Philippines, with powdery white sand and crystal-clear blue waters. Located approximately 315 km south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of the Panay Island in the Western Visayas, the island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak.
The island was originally home to the Ati tribe. Formerly undiscovered and a well-guarded secret, it wasn't until the 1970s that tourism began to develop in Boracay, and finally became well known in the 1980s. Today, Boracay Island is the most popular beach destination in the Philippines, and is among the 10 best tropical beaches in the world.
Seasons
High Season
October to May
25-32°C
Hot and humid, Northeast Monsoon (Amihan), little or no rainfall
Summer
April / May / June
28 – 38 degrees C
Hot and mostly dry, easterly to southeasterly winds
Low Season
June to September
23-28°C
Cool, Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), moderate to heavy rainfall
Getting Here
Manila (or Cebu) to Caticlan
If you want to travel by plane, the ideal option is to book a flight from the Manila domestic airport and get a flight to either Caticlan or go through Kalibo. Either way, it should take you about an hour to reach your destination. Kalibo Airport is a larger airport, but about 90 minutes from Boracay. You can take an air-conditioned van to Caticlan for 200 PHP, or by Jeepney for 100 PHP.
Airlines that serve Caticlan and Kalibo Airports from either Manila or Cebu.
The Strong Republic Nautical Highway is the most popular option for those who want to travel by land. It is an integrated set of highway segments and vehicular ferry routes. Locally known as RORO, the trip from Manila will take 12-16 hours with stopovers and dependent on sea conditions. Best possible rate for an air-conditioned bus is 1,500 PHP.
LAND Manila » Cubao | 2 hours
SEA Cubao » Calapan | 2-3 hours
LAND Calapan » Roxas | 2-3 hours
SEA Roxas » Caticlan | 4-5 hours
Caticlan to Boracay
Pump boats ferry between the Caticlan mainland's Jetty Port and Boracay Island from 5:00 in the morning to 9:00 in the evening. The pump boat fare is 25 PhP, however non-residents also pay a 50 PHP environmental fee, and a 50 PHP Terminal fee. You can get these tickets outside the Jetty Port before you enter. The trip from mainland to the island is 20 minutes. (Please be generous enough to tip the porters whose only livelihood is to carry your luggage.)
Boracay Port to Hotel
You can either take a tricycle or a multicab to your hotel. Tricycle costs 100 PHP, and 250 PHP for the Multicab. Depending on the season, you will be coming either Tambisaan Port or Cagban Port. But the distance from either to White Beach is 15 minutes.